(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Pleasant Prairie, Wis. — In a case that has drawn considerable local attention, 71-year-old James M. Jefferson was formally charged today with Felony Criminal Damage to Property after allegedly vandalizing a Tesla. The incident, captured by the vehicle’s “Sentry Mode” surveillance system, set off a week-long investigation that has now culminated in charges against Jefferson.
On February 15, 2025, Officer Padilla of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department responded to a call at the Costco located at 7707 94th Avenue. When the vehicle’s owner returned to her 2019 Blue Tesla, she discovered large scratches extending across both the driver’s and passenger’s side doors. According to her, the damage—penetrating the paint down to the metal—was estimated to cost around $10,000 in repairs, and she stressed that at no point had she given anyone permission to tamper with her vehicle.
The Tesla’s “Sentry Mode” had recorded the entire episode. The footage showed a man—initially described as being in his 50s or 60s, with a white goatee, dressed in all black and wearing a baseball cap—making a suspicious motion near the car at 2:06 p.m. The suspect was later seen returning at 2:08 p.m., this time donning a blue flannel shirt. Although the video was widely shared on social media, the Tesla’s owner had it taken down following Jefferson’s arrest.
Detective Steinmetz later reviewed additional surveillance from inside Costco. The store’s cameras captured a man matching the suspect’s description using a self-checkout at 2:25 p.m. before exiting the premises at 2:26 p.m. This evidence, combined with body camera footage from a prior incident where a man in a blue flannel shirt was recorded, ultimately led investigators to positively identify Jefferson as the suspect.
On February 22, 2025, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Detective Steinmetz confronted Jefferson at his residence on the 8900 block of Cooper Road. When presented with photographic evidence from the surveillance footage—first showing him leaving the store, and then keying the Tesla—Jefferson repeatedly denied any involvement. “I don’t think so,” he stated, later adding, “I don’t have, I didn’t do it so.”
Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel II set a cash bail of $1,000 for Jefferson. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 3.5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
24 Responses
Old moron.
Who doesn’t know about Tesla cameras yet?
Apparently not this guy…
Is it the cost to repair that makes this a felony?
Yes. $2,500 damage or more makes it a felony.
Ouch! But it will be pleaded down to a misdemeanor.
Not only damages another persons property but then lies about it. At 71 he has done this kind of thing before. Look at his smile mug shot. Give him the max penalty
3.5 years in prison seems a bit much, but he definitely should do some serious jail time for this heinous crime! He should also have to do about 10,000 hours of community service picking up trash and dog crap along the roads.
Typical Looney Democrat.
Who cares, it was a Tesla.
Did we figure out if he keyed it bc he hates liberals and their electric cars or bc he’s a democrat who hates Musk?
It is the latter. He scrubbed his facebook account which included comments defending Biden and crying about republicans.
Union thug behavior. Anyone know this guy? Definitely he is in a trade union like pipefiters or electrical, maybe a teacher, possibly former government employee like postal workers tend to be rabid. UAW retired Chrysler is a possibility too.
Definitely was a former government employee
He owns Mike Jefferson Electric. Hes a local contractor who also does work in Florida in the winters.
Wrong
Does not do work in Florida
Get your facts straight
Looks like no Fl for Mr Jefferson this winter while on felony bond 🙂
Mike Jefferson
Ori Montiel Republicans are just trying to stop the out-of-control school boards from introducing 5-7 year old children to sexual subject matter for Pete sake.
Speaking about Pete, it is sad that the Democrats endorse letting queers like Pete B and his man wife take little boys into their home under adoption
Republican
Nope, a libtard
…
Trump Derangement Syndrome is real
Not at all. He was a republican
I feel like there is more to this story than being printed. Not defending his action but I doubt it was anything political. Maybe somebody wasn’t paying their bill or something. I have known him for many years and never heard him utter a political word. I get the fact it was a Tesla brings out the crazies but I think there is more to the story.
Bond should be set at 10,000 and then the judge should decree that the bond money be given to the owner of the Tesla 😉
That guy is alright